Jennifer Aniston on Her Biggest Beauty Regret—And Why Easy Always Does It

Two decades have passed since Jennifer Aniston burst onto the scene and became a reigning ’90s beauty icon, thanks to that shining blonde hair and sun-kissed skin captured weekly on Friends. Since then, the 47-year-old actress has kept the preternatural glow and easygoing charm that made her a star, but more recently, has seen her life head in a new direction. There was her quiet marriage last summer to director Justin Theroux, coming on the heels of her Golden Globe–nominated turn in Cake, which let Aniston flex her acting and producing chops. With another dramatic role and production credit in American war film The Yellow Birds planned for later this year, plus her status as a burgeoning beauty powerhouse—as co-owner of Living Proof and the longtime face of Aveeno—that momentum is only growing. Here, she takes a moment to discuss her skin-care secrets, her biggest beauty regret, and why she’s thrilled that the ’90s are back.

How has your philosophy about beauty changed over the years?
Emotionally and mentally, I would say it’s just about loving yourself and loving what you’ve been given—to really appreciate it and take care of it. Because this is the only body we’re given, we need to be really good and mindful of what we eat and how we take care of our skin—getting a good night’s sleep is extremely important, as is hydrating with water, water, water. It’s so important to getting that extra glow.You have such a signature look. Did you go through any memorable hair or makeup phases along the way to finding it?
Sometimes you learn the hard way. Sometimes what’s in fashion isn’t always your best friend. There was a phase in the ’80s where I don’t think anyone was sporting good hair and makeup. The amount of makeup I piled onto my skin and the wonderful hair colors and cuts that my hair went through—I don’t look back fondly on some of those choices. But I do laugh at them!

What do you regret most from that period?
The entire decade! I would have to say, there was a period where I cut my hair really, really short. It was long on top, short on the sides. I think right above the ears—about an inch above—I shaved my head, and that was kind of a really bad look. It was like a faux kind of chicken shit mohawk [laughs].

Still, the ’90s are coming back in a big way and—
The ’90s are coming back!? Why are they coming back, that’s mean. I’m just kidding. That’s really good because I have certain things I have yet to throw away from my days on Friends. My red squared-toe loafers might actually be making a comeback, that’s awesome. See, it’s coming back—I knew it. I also have those nice high-waisted jeans. I’m so glad I didn’t throw any of those out. I loved the ’90s.

Looking back at what you’ve learned over the years, what lessons have you applied to your routine now?
I think over the years, everything’s just continued to get simpler. Less is more, less makeup, less fuss, and just more natural, which I kind of prefer. My skin-care treatment is very simple. I’ve found that anytime I try to do some kind of fancy hair or makeup routine or skin-care routine, it gets more complicated. I love simple Aveeno products—they just came out with a new Absolutely Ageless night time cream and a new night time serum, which are wonderful. It’s important to find something that’s simple and affordable—and easy.